Press Releases

In Honor of Nurses WeekMt. Desert RNs Call on Hospital to Forgo the Flowers and Address Patient Safety IssuesCandlelight vigil Wednesday May 7

BAR HARBOR -- Mt. Desert Island Hospital (MDI) registered nurses will be holding a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening to protest ongoing cuts to patient safety and services in their facility and throughout the state, announced the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses United. MSNA/NNU represents the RNs.

“The recent failure to expand Medicaid and pass health care as a human right legislation in Maine, has resulted in far fewer resources for patients in our state’s hospitals, said Terrylyn Bradbury, an RN who works in the emergency department at Millinocket Regional Hospital. “The reductions in services to communities and lay-offs of hospital staff are leaving 70,000 residents uninsured.

The RNs, who are currently in contract talks with the hospital, have proposed measures that would ensure usage of safe and functioning equipment and technology that doesn’t take away from their ability to deliver quality care, based on the individual needs of patients. Additionally, the RNs are asking for staff to be appropriately trained on all technology, which includes patient monitoring systems and electronic records.

“We urge MDI hospital administration to listen to the nurses about patient safety and the delivery of care in our bargaining talks this week,” said Pam Borque, an RN who works in the obstetrics unit at MDI. “The hospital is keeping RNs from having any formal input into decisions that affect the delivery of care, especially around technology and equipment that is used by the bedside nurse. We know best what is most effective for the care of our patients.”

MSNA/NNU represents more than 2,000 nurses who work in facilities and agencies throughout the state of Maine. As the largest organization of nurses in the state, MSNA/NNOC is committed to improving the standards of nursing and patient care through collective bargaining, advocacy, and organizing.